Who Picks Up the Tab?

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I took a male client out to lunch for the first time. I was planning on picking up the tab, but when he insisted on paying, I let him. Was I wrong to give in, and should I have at least offered to leave a tip?

In the business world, "the client is always right," so you were correct to follow your instincts and let him pay, including the tip -- even though the person who does the inviting generally picks up the entire bill. And because he probably wouldn't have changed his mind, debating it would have been pointless.

Unless your client is an unrepentant flirt, you might want to repay his kindness by inviting him out to lunch again, and this time make it clear he'll be your guest. Then discreetly make arrangements with your waiter to have the check brought to you at the end of the meal.